Historic Osceola Lake Inn has reopened after major renovations. It’s been under the same ownership, via multiple LLC’s, for many years. Majority co-owner Shawna McColley explained their ownership structure as via financial and/or in-kind investment. In-kind was explained as contributing to the property in a variety of ways. See their current Our Story page.
SEE ALMOST 30 PHOTOS ON MY OSCEOLA LAKE INN FACEBOOK POST
“Renovations” is really an understatement. Not sure what the catalyst was, but the Inn’s in the midst of tectonic changes with plans for an entire community to be built around, and including, the Inn on their 3.75 acre property. See the site plan in photos.
Barrie and I went recently, primarily to check out the Café (of course). We ended up also checking out the Inn’s multiple floors, rooms – done, in the process of being done, and waiting their turn. Had a surprise and laugh when we looked through the open door of a darkened room used to store goblins, ghouls, and more Halloween decorations.
We sampled a few items at their Zelda’s Café & Speakeasy for our lunch. Most are pastry-based savory and sweet items. One of the things I tried was a very good Ham and Cheese croissant.
Ham and Cheese Croissant
Just a heads-up. We were surprised by the very small amount of chocolate in the Chocolate Croissant (see photo). It was explained to us that’s how they’re done in France. True, but at this point, the American/Western version of generous chocolate filling has also infiltrated France. Pastries and other menu items are made by an off-site independent French couple.
Chocolate Croissant done the historic French way with little chocolate.
Broccoli and Cheese Quiche
Kouign Amann – buttery, caramelized goodness
We also explored the property, talking with event and permanent on-site artists and product vendors. Surprisingly, the Inn includes two separate multi-story wings of rooms in back that are more akin to a motel. According to the project architect, those rooms are remnants of property use as a camp. Both wings are currently also under major renovation.
If you’re interested in learning more, a good reference would be architect/co-owner Joey Burnett’s writings.
Local publications have described this project as, “A new adaptive reuse of the 3½-acre [on record as 3.75 acre] site would result in a “mixed-use, community-oriented, environmentally conscious residential and hospitality campus . . . ” and “A new plan for the historic Osceola Lake Inn includes 10 hotel rooms, 15 artist studios, a restaurant and bar, event space and business center plus 14 new dwellings and a ‘resiliency hub.”
My take? I like what they’ve done and what they have planned is interesting and different. Communal, but open to the public. As described in their plans and verbiage, it feels a little like a 1960’s/1970’s commune, but with financial stability. I visited a few in the early 70’s. Kibbutz also came to mind, as they’re viewed as intentional, collective communites.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this all develops !